AromatherapyEssential Oils for the Body and Soul

If you’ve ever tried some aromatherapy on your skin, then you probably know its soothing benefits.  Somehow there is a profound connection between how you feel and the state of your skin.  Read on and find out how you can revitalize your skin with aromatic therapy.

Reaping the Benefits

There’s nothing like a rewarding soak in the tub after a long day at work or a cup of hot tea on a chilly winter afternoon or a relaxing spa after that quick massage.  Moments like these you can’t help but feel exhilarated.  Not only does it relax the senses, it also uplifts your mood and spirits.  Other benefits to taking part in aromatic therapy include the relief of physical distress, strengthening of the immune system, easing of muscular aches and pains, better sleep, decrease in stress levels and balancing of emotions.

Oils with an Essence

You won’t be able to find aromatic oils for your skin right away but nowadays more and more of these products are showing up online and some specialty shops.  Too many people are reaping the benefits of aromatic therapy that manufacturers are starting to notice a trend by adding essential oils to their products.

These essential oils are not only fragrant but they do have elements that are able to cure certain skin diseases.  But you don’t have to be afflicted to use these essential oils since you can still reap its soothing benefits.  The way it works is that these essential oils are dissolved in water so that it is easily absorbed by the skin’s sebum.  This treatment is being made to create lotions, mineral baths, massage oils and even body washes.

Know Your Skin Type

Just as there are different skin types, so too are essential oils.  Each type of oil gives its own particular benefit on a certain skin type.

If you have a ‘normal’ skin type then you’re in luck because almost all skin-safe essential oils are good for you.  The most universal of all aromatic oils is lavender because it is the most versatile and it works well with any skin type.

If you have dry and sensitive skin you will need to combine some oils together.  Some recommendations for this skin type include chamomile, geranium, patchouli, lavender, rose absolute, neroli, jasmine, sandalwood and carrot seed.  But if you have extra sensitive skin then stay away from high percentage oils and those that come with spicy scents like cinnamon.

If you have oily or ‘combination’ skin, you need to look for oils that decrease the sebum in your skin and at the same time create balance.  Go for the antiseptic essential oils like pink grapefruit, geranium, lavender, juniper berry, ylang ylang, myrtle, cypress and peppermint.

You will also need aromatic essential oils as your skin continues to age and it will definitely help in slowing down the aging process especially since these oils hydrates the skin and brings back its tone.  If you have aging skin then you will need oils like frankincense, carrot seed, patchouli, myrrh, rose absolute and sandalwood.

Get Some Aromatic Therapy

You can find aromatherapy products for your skin in some specialty shops but you can find more variety if you look for them online.  The keyword is ‘organic’ since aromatic therapy has its origins in organic products.  Some of the more popular brands that offer aromatic oils in their products are L’Occitane, Jakare, Decleor and Saffron Rouge.

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Composed of delightfully smelling goodies, an aromatherapy gift basket is the perfect thing to give to your loved ones on a special occasion. It is quickly becoming one of the most popular gift items today because it is very useful. You know that it will help improve the mood as well as heal – the recipient will surely know that you mean so well and you have put so much effort into coming up with the gift basket.

Of course you could always order a ready-made gift basket from a vendor. There are so many available on the internet and at many health and beauty stores. However, the best gift basket idea still remains building the basket’s content from scratch, considering the items that are greatly needed and will be much appreciated by the recipient.

When you order a ready-made gift basket, your options will be limited; you have to be contented with the items the basket carries. You do this by selecting a theme – birthday, anniversary, birth of a baby, holiday, and others. On the other hand, when you make your own, you are practically unlimited when it comes to the items you which to include. All it takes is a little research, planning and a dash of creativity.

Perhaps the most challenging part is figuring out what items to include in the gift basket. There are practically hundreds of items out there, all with varying scents and diverse purposes. You will, for sure, not be restricted because of the many bits and pieces which you may purchase. Some of them include: scented candles, potpourri packets, essential oils, essential oil diffusers, and scented bath and body products such as soaps, shampoos, lotions and bath salts.

Now, you should ask yourself: what does the recipient really needs? For example, if the recipient is busy spending most of the day at work, he or she needs something that will help bring relaxation at the end of the day. If the recipient is a student or an artist, then something that will help keep the mind invigorated and alert will be most beneficial to him or her. But if the recipient is simply looking for some pampering, he or she might need something that will help achieve that feeling of luxury and importance.

After you have researched what the recipient needs best and after you have purchased the items, the next step is coming up with the container – the basket itself. You can either purchase one or recycle, especially if you have received a gift basket yourself before. (However, you are not limited to using baskets alone; you may also use other containers such as ornamental boxes or buckets.)

Before arranging the items in the basket, you might want to fill the bottom with filler. For this, you can use shredded colorful paper. You can also use potpourri or small pillows. Use your imagination: think of a theme that will make all the items in the basket come together. After laying out the filler, you can now decoratively arrange the gift items on top of the filler. You can cover the entire basket with colored cellophane, or simply tie a ribbon around the handle.

An aromatherapy gift basket doesn’t only smell good. It also looks good as well, depending on your creativity!

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You have probably heard about aromatherapy and even tried it yourself. While you can buy the salts, the oils, the candles and the other items from the store, why don’t you make it yourself? This can be done thanks to schools that offer aromatherapy training as a vocational course.

To start, all you have to do is find a school that offers the program. Once you are enrolled, you will be given a beginner’s kit that usually contains 4 to 6 bottles of various scents.

The 4 to 6 oils in the kit are the most common ones used for aromatherapy. While one or two are great for muscle pain, the rest are effective in treating a common cold or some other mild symptom.

Once you know the special characteristics of these oils, other will be introduced and you will be taught that you can mix a few of these together to create your own concoction.

As you already know, oils are not the only thing used for aromatherapy. There are candles, bath salts, incense and even soaps. You will also be trained how to make them so can make these later on your own.

When you finish the vocational course, it is up to you what you want to do with it. You can start your own business and sell these to stores or to customers directly or just use the knowledge to create it yourself for your own personal use.

Some use the training of aromatherapy to move up to the higher levels of the health care practice. A few options could make you become a massage therapist, ayurvedic clinician or even a naturopath.

If you think that the cost of aromatherapy training is expensive, you will be happy to know that most training courses are offered at less than $1,000.

In fact, some say this is a great time to get back into school when the country is in financial crisis and if you happen to be one of the millions who have been laid off, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to shift into this career. But if money is still your concern, don’t worry because you can apply for a scholarship. 

If time is another constraint, don’t worry because there are some schools that understand your situation and offer the same program at night or online.

So what are you waiting for? If you want to make some money and feel good at the same time, then now is the time to get into aromatherapy school. You can find a listing of what schools are offering this course online and then reviewing their curriculum and comparing their rates before you decide to enroll in the program. Most of the classes can be completed in 6 months.

Unlike other jobs that require you to have a license, being an aromatherapy practitioner does not require you to have one. After finishing the course, you could earn from $15,000 to $40,000 but this depends of course on other factors especially where you practice.

More people are becoming health conscious which is why aromatherapy is gaining popularity. Given this trend, you should probably strike while the iron is hot because while some see this merely as a hobby, try to see the bigger picture and turn this into a business.

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When you drop by aromatherapy or natural health and beauty stores, you are faced with choosing among the many ingredients you may employ to achieve a holistic treatment. Some of the items you may encounter include essential oils, carrier oils, fragrance oils and infused oils. Already confused? Read on to differentiate one from the other, and get to know each one’s uses.

Essential Oils

You might be surprised, but the so-called essential oils are not oily to the touch at all. Most of them are clear, but some come in amber or yellowish color, such as orange and lemon grass essential oils.

Essential oils are distilled, usually by steam or water, from various parts of the source plant such as leaves, stems, petals, roots and other parts. They are highly concentrated and contain no artificial fragrances. When applied to the skin or inhaled, the composition and scent of these oils can provide many physical and psychological benefits.

They are often sold in small bottles and can greatly vary in price, depending on the rarity of the plant, the amount of oil produced by the plant and other standards. Because they are in pure form, essential oils are often diluted with carrier oils prior to usage.

Carrier Oils

Since essential oils are very much concentrated and may cause severe irritations and other reactions in some people, carrier oils are used to dilute them. Carrier oils are derived from the fatty portions of the plant, such as the seeds, nuts and kernels. Sometimes called vegetable oils, each one of them carries different therapeutic benefits, depending on what is being sought.

Carrier oils got scents of their own, although they may not be as strong as those from essential oils. Some of the natural lotions, body creams, massage oils, bath oils and other skin care products are made from carrier or vegetable oils. The choice of carrier oils where essential oils are added to can make a difference in the properties, effects, color, scent and shelf life of the final product.

Fragrance Oils

While essential oils are natural because they are made of the distilled essences of the plants where they came from, fragrance oils, on the other hand, are artificial scents – they contain artificial substances and are diluted with carrier oils. You might have also encountered items like perfume oils or potpourri oils, but they are basically just the same as fragrance oils, considering how they were made.

Unfortunately, fragrance oils do not carry the same therapeutic benefits offered by essential oils. Many scented cosmetics, candles, skin-care products like lotions and soaps, and others only contain fragrance oils or other synthetically-made fragrances. You have to read the labels carefully if you intend to use only natural ingredients in achieving relaxation and holistic caring.

Infused Oils

Infused oils are simply carrier oils infused with herbs. They are especially intended for certain plants that simply do not have much essential oils in them, or when it is virtually impossible to find essential oils extracted from those plants.

The good thing about using infused oils in aromatherapy than just plain carrier oils is that the combined therapeutic benefits of the carrier oils and the herbs infused into them are achieved. Infused oils are generally oily to the touch, depending on the consistency of the carrier oils used.

Unlike essential oils, infused oils can go rancid over time, just like carrier oils.

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Many people are familiar with the therapeutic properties of aromatherapy massage. It relaxes your body, helps increase circulation, and gives your skin a vibrant glow. However, what many people do not know is that aromatherapy massage is an effective treatment for many other things such as cellulite, stress, emotional problems, as well as for animals.

Aroma therapy massage for cellulite

Unfortunately, there are many people who treat their bodies well yet cannot escape the terror of cellulite. Particularly for people who used to be overweight, cellulite is extremely difficult to get rid off no matter what you do. Even if you have never been overweight you may have some cellulite; this is because hormones play a big part in the development of cellulite.

Besides exercise and a good diet to detoxify your body, aroma therapy massage is a great way to get rid of those unruly cellulite lines. It helps to breakdown and melt fatty deposits. An effective massage oil is a blend of juniper, sweet fennel, cypress, and a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba oil. Make sure to have long and deep massages for cellulite treatment.

Aroma therapy massage for stress

Everybody has experienced stress at one point or another. There is nothing more relaxing than a deep, aroma therapy massage at the end of the day. High levels of stress are not something to be taken lightly – it can lower your immune system making you more susceptible to diseases. For those who experience prolonged sessions of high stress, it may be a good idea to look into aroma therapy massage.

Aroma therapy massage for emotional problems

Many therapists use aroma therapy oils for emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, physical exhaustion, insomnia, and irritability. Many people have found that aroma therapy is a good way to calm nerves and boost mood. In fact, therapists have found that different blends of oils can trigger different moods. For instance, there are oils that increase energy levels, and some that alleviate pain in the body. Other scents that are popular for being able to lift the spirit are citrus scents such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange.

Aroma therapy massage for dogs

If you think that smells can be soothing and therapeutic, imagine what it would do for animals with a more sensitive sense of smell. Aroma therapy massage is now being used to pamper pets, particularly dogs. Over the years, it has been gaining popularity as a way to treat dogs emotionally and physically. Typically used to treat tick problems and anxiety, the natural smells in the oils have a visible effect on a dog’s health.

Oils used in dog aroma therapy are usually 100% all natural made from natural oils, plants, and herbs. Usually, lemon oil is also added and serves as an effective repellent. Rosemary is also a popular choice, which is used to treat arthritis. These oils can be massaged into a dog’s fur, or simply diluted in water and sprayed on.

With all these benefits, it is easy to see why so many people are addicted to aromatherapy massage. If you have any emotional problems, physical pains, or just want to give your pet a wonderful treat, get up now and find your way to an aroma therapy spa near you.

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Through time, people have learned how they can benefit from the different available resources that can be used to obtain relaxation and other means to pamper oneself. One of the most popular methods that is being used up to this day for such purpose is the method of aromatherapy.

This method has gone a long way since it was first coined in the 1920’s by a French chemist. This is a vital element in various forms of massages that you can apply on the comfort of your own homes or you can avail at commercial establishments that cater to such call.

With the busy world that we are living in, it is only understandable that people are going to see various forms and ways that can help them ease their tired body. By undergoing a massage, you will be able to regain your strength back by alleviating the stresses and tensions that your environment has thrown at you.

How does the method becomes healing in a way when used in massage? This is mainly due to the essences that come from the oils that are being utilized in the process. Various oils contain healing properties that can solve different medical conditions. You just have to make sure that your doctor authorized you to adopt the method before you perform anything on yourself. Other people may have allergic reactions towards such oils. It will be better to consult a professional to be safe in the whole process.

The oils come from the extracts of plants and herbs. These can be mixed with water and other types of oils as well as commercially available lotions. This way, you will lessen the chances of developing any allergic reactions towards the solution.

When used in massages, the essence of the oil that is being applied in the body goes straight to that person’s limbic system. This is the part of the human brain that controls the emotion and the nervous system. This is responsible in controlling the heart rate and regulating the blood flow. Through this, you will have an easier time in digesting your food. And you will also be able to think sound and straight after smelling such essences. Overall, this is beneficial for your overall health because this can make your hormones function well.

As you are being treated with the massage, you are able to free yourself with the stresses that your hectic day has brought about. This is ideal for people who work in an environment where they feel like they always have to perform at the top of their game or else they will lose the momentum and may lessen their chances of achieving the top.

When diffused with various scents, the oils will create various effects depending on the combination created. Now you can create the type of combination that will answer whatever medical situation you are faced with.

For example, if the essential oil will be combined with lavender, geranium and chamomile, it will create a calming effect. If it is mixed with rosemary, neroli and rose, the effect will be uplifting. If you will combine it with tea tree leaves and eucalyptus, it will create a decongesting feel.

Aromatherapy offers solution to your every dilemma with regards to you feelings and physical strength. You just have to mix and match the right oils that contain the kind of essences that can help you with your condition.

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Ancient people greatly depended on their surroundings for everything that they needed. They had to make the most of what they had; that is why they discovered methods of using plants for treating ailments and preserving life. That is how aromatherapy began – one of the oldest methods of holistic healing.

Closely related to what we have today, the practice of using oils from aromatic plants began with the Egyptians. They developed a method of extracting oils from plants through an infusion process. These oils served various purposes to them back then, as an important part of medicinal healing, cosmetics, as well as embalming.

At the same time in some other part of the world, the Chinese were also using different herbs and their scents for many applications. According to a herbal book dating back to around 2700 BC, ancient Chinese were using more than 300 different kinds of plants. Aromatics in China were used for both religious and therapeutic purposes. The Chinese burned woods and incense during religious ceremonies – a ritual still evident today. Also, the use of aromatics was also associated with ancient modes of treatment, such as massage and acupressure.

In India, people were already practicing a traditional system of healing called Ayurveda. Originating there for around 5000 years now, it emphasizes setting up a balance in the body through proper diet, lifestyle, cleansing, and the health of the mind, body and spirit. It employs cleansing, detoxification and the use of herbs such as triphala, ashwaghanda, gotu kola and bosweilla.

The knowledge of the Egyptians reached the Greeks, which they used further to come up with more discoveries. They found out that different scents had different effects on the human body and mind. For instance, essential oils derived from certain flowers were stimulating, while others were relaxing. The Greeks also used base or carrier oils, in the form of olive oil, for herbs and flowers; thus led to their use for several cosmetic and medicinal purposes.

In turn, the Romans learned from the knowledge of the Greeks. They became popular back then for scented baths, followed by massage using scented oils. Because of the popularity of aromatics to them, it paved the way to the setting up of trade routes. These trade routes allowed the Romans to import exotic oils and spices to lands like India and Arabia.

The Middle Ages yielded tons of studies on herbs and their benefits. One such book that was written back then, called Culpeper’s herbal, is still being consulted up to this day.

In the 11th century, a Persian physician named Avicenna invented a distillation equipment and process, which led to the focus of further development of essential oils and their many benefits. This knowledge spread to the other parts of the world through invading forces.

Essential oils were then being produced in Germany, extracted from herbs brought from parts of Africa and the Far East. When the Conquistadors invaded South America, more and more aromatic plants were discovered. The wide variety of plants found in the garden of Montezuma provided the foundation for further remedies and treatments using plant extracts.

Although aromatic plants had been used throughout the world for many years already, it was only in the 19th century that scientists in Europe did researches on the beneficial effects of scents on humans. Aromatherapy was coined by French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse, and published a book on the effects of essential oils in 1937.

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It’s about time you experience the power of aromatherapy especially its stress-relieving benefits. Read on and find out how aromatic therapy eases you out of stress holistically, clinically and aesthetically. Discover how each method gives you the peace and tranquility your body needs.  

The Essence of Aromatic Oils

At the heart of aromatic therapy are the essential oils which are extracted from different plants in three ways: steam distillation, cold press and absolute extraction.

The last method is used only when the plants or flowers could not survive the other two methods. To extract oils from citrus fruits, the cold press method is used while steam distillation is usually applied for extracting oils on plants and the different parts of a plant.

Holistic Havens

You should be familiar with the holistic method of aromatic therapy especially if you ever had a massage from a masseuse using essential oils. This is the most popular method of aromatic therapy. The infusion of the oils’ scent, how it gets absorbed into your skin plus the deep tissue massage is enough to give your body a much needed revival from stress.

Not only does this method relieve you off stress, it is actually good for your immune system too. Stress usually leaves you with a weakened immune system and aromatic therapy builds up your immune system by stimulating the brain’s chemicals so that it fights away infection.

Clinical Concoction

The clinical method of aroma therapy is applied together with traditional medicine. The way it’s done can change from one country to another. In the US, one of the most common ways it is used is through dentistry. It’s been found out that having the smell of lavender in waiting rooms relaxes a patient before dental surgery. The scent of lavender also helps in the relief of some serious diseases and even childbirth by providing a relaxing environment.

Aesthetic Infusions

Aesthetic aromatic therapy involves the use of essential oils in burners, diffusers and even the bath.  This kind of therapy can be used by anyone. Some people even get bath salts, beads and shower gels for a heightened experience. These special products have essential oils in them and give the same relaxing and soothing effect on the skin and body. Even candles have essential oils and combining it with scented bath products will give you the best relaxing experience yet.

How It Works

There are different methods of aromatic therapy which gives nothing but the ultimate stress relief. By using scents from essential oils, aromatic therapy affects a person’s mood, which in turn affects the body. 

As the nose inhales the scents coming from the essential oils, the olfactory receptors transmit the information to the limbic system. This system is the place where our emotions are processed. It is said that aromatic therapy helps in stimulating the brain so that it releases chemicals that make you relax. This process is what makes aromatic therapy relieve you off stress.

Treat Yourself

There are different ways you can experience the true bliss of aromatherapy. You can visit a spa and inquire about their different services. Choose the option that will benefit you the most.  You can also buy a home aromatic therapy kit. These usually come with burners or oil diffusers plus instructions on how to use it.

Or you can get yourself an assortment of different bath products with essential oils and experiment to find out what works best for you.

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Most people have fear of something that they may not even know the origins of such emotion. Are you afraid of the dark and becomes too terrified when placed in a room where there is not even a tinge of light? Such situation and the likes, if not treated early, may lead to serious medical condition also known as phobia. For this situation, aromatherapy can help you deal with whatever is frightening you to help you move on, face and conquer your dilemmas.

Nowadays, the method is not merely something that you apply on yourself or to your loved ones. If you will look around you, you will realize that this has become a big business that people offer to cater to various conditions that this method can help solve. There are small stores that sell essential oils. There are also large commercial establishments that offer various techniques to help their clients feel relaxed through the use of essential oils.

Studies are still ongoing with regards to the effectiveness of the process. But many people will testify of the benefits that they have gained through such. This is also the reason why despite the fact that there are various healing techniques and methods that spring up through time, up to this day, such method remains to be one of the most popular.

Looking into the Core

This is an alternative method that is being applied on situations when traditional medicines and form of treatments can no longer help the patient. This utilizes essential oils that have been extracted from plants and herbs and contain various essences and smell that help the patient survive the situation that they are dealing with.

People are still finding hard evidences to proclaim the method as scientific and so that governing bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration can help in its promotion. But for the meantime, people enjoy the benefits that such process can provide. Some of the known advantages of this technique include the cleansing feeling, it also rejuvenates the person who is undergoing such and alleviate stress caused by overwork and fatigue.

This must be administered with the consent of an adult. Or if you want your children to apply such process on their own, you must teach them the proper way so that they will not suffer anything bad and will enjoy the activity and the advantages that it provides. You must take note that people have different skin types. There are those who will react differently when subjected to oils containing high concentration. This may cause skin irritation that may frighten them to try the scheme after the bad experience.

If you will buy the oils in specialty shops, these are usually ready to use and administered to any skin types. The oils have already been combined with other carrier oils that are harmless, like vegetable oils. This will minimize the adverse effects that other skin types may have with oils that are not subjected to such route.

A medical professional can also recommend to you the right kind of essences that will help you deal with whatever is bugging you. The popular oils and their uses include the rose, valerian, rosemary and lavender that heal anxiety disorders. Scents like the chamomile, lavender and geranium have calming effects. Ylang-ylang, rose and neroli will help uplift moods.

Aromatherapy can help you deal with simple fear and phobias that you may be faced with. The idea here is that you must be open to be helped and you are prepared to undergo the methods that this scheme may require you to be treated with.

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It seems that there is an appropriate aromatherapy scent for your every need. No matter if what you need is to alter your mood, achieve a sense of well-being or relieve minor health conditions, there is a corresponding scent to do the job well. The following are 5 of the most popular scents.

Chamomile

The flowers of the chamomile plant look like tiny daisies but smell like apples instead. Grown for many years now because of its various healing properties, chamomile is best known for its calming effects, thus helping one to achieve a very restful sleep. It is also effective for relieving the symptoms of PMS, menopause and hyperactivity among kids. The oil from chamomile flowers can help ease muscle aches and tensions, headaches and joint pains. Drinking tea made from the petals helps stimulate appetite and calm upset stomach. Unlike other essential oils, chamomile is mild enough to help ease your baby’s colic, thus helping him or her achieve sleep.

Eucalyptus

With about 300 varieties, eucalyptus has long been a vital ingredient in cough medications because its scent, which helps open up and clear nasal passages. Eucalyptus oil is also used to scent mouthwashes, aftershaves, colognes and other household cleansers. The effects of eucalyptus on the mind and body include: relief from mental fatigue, improves mental alertness, lessen muscle tension and help boost the immune system. It is also a widely-used disinfectant and insect repellant. However, if used in large amounts, eucalyptus essential oil can be toxic. Also, while it is great for relieving the symptoms of sinusitis and lung congestion, it is not intended for use during an asthma attack.

Lavender

Lavender has long been associated with cleanliness ever since the Romans first used it as an additive to their bathwater. Today, it is still a favorite for scenting perfumes, soaps, air fresheners, fabric softeners, disinfectants and many others. Lavender is one of the safest and most widely-used essential oils, known to have an uplifting and relaxing effect. If used in large amounts, lavender can be stimulating. It also helps improve digestion, reduce swelling, ease muscle tension and is proven effective for treating minor skin injuries such as burns, cuts, scrapes, and rashes.

Peppermint

Peppermint is popular because of its powerful, mint and distinctive fragrance. It is a common ingredient in all sort of products like ice cream, liqueurs, mouthwashes, toothpastes, desserts, cosmetics, household cleansers and many more. Peppermint essential oil is used in liniments to increase blood flow to a body part, thus relieving muscle spasms and arthritis. It is also known to uplift the mood, relieve mental fatigue, improve alertness and enhance memory. Known to be able to kill many bacteria and viruses, peppermint is used for treating ringworm, scabies, herpes simplex and poison oak.

Rosemary

With its herbaceous, woody and camphorous odor, it is not surprising that rosemary has a wide variety of uses, from the ancient times until today. It became a staple during weddings and funerals in the ancient times. It was used as an ingredient in cosmetics as early as the 14th century. Today it is a popular ingredient in liniments, massage oils and bath products. Rosemary is excellent in improving blood circulation, relieving sore throat and lung congestion, and helpful in improving digestion.

It also helps relieve mental fatigue, uplift the mood and enhance mental alertness and memory when used as an aromatherapy scent.

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